Damian Garcia, a transgender teenager who was born female and wants to graduate from St. Pius X High School, wearing a black gown, is boycotting Wednesday's graduation.Black is the color reserved for boys, but Garcia said school officials notified him Tuesday that he must wear a white gown -- the color reserved for girls -- or not walk at all.Garcia was born Born Brandi Garcia. The teen legally changed his name to Damian last year.According to the school's superintendent, the school policy is to go by a student's gender on their birth certificate.Wearing a white gown on his graduation day, Garcia said, "would be disrespecting myself. because I am not a female. Why would I wear a female gown?"Several days ago, supporters launched an online petition named "Let Damian Walk in Black."More than 22,000 people from around the world have signed it.Garcia said he felt "overwhelmed, excited, blown away" by the support.The petition has reached Hollywood stars. Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, a St. Pius X alum, vouched his support for the teenager in a Facebook message.Garcia has been accepted into UNM next year.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

Damian Garcia, a transgender teenager who was born female and wants to graduate from St. Pius X High School, wearing a black gown, is boycotting Wednesday's graduation.

Black is the color reserved for boys, but Garcia said school officials notified him Tuesday that he must wear a white gown -- the color reserved for girls -- or not walk at all.